After Becoming the Abused Heroine in a Campus Story - Chapter 70: I Won’t Retreat Another Step

Chapter 70: I Won’t Retreat Another Step

“What happened? Wasn’t everything fine this morning? Where are you now?” Zhou Yuanfei asked.

“I’m at the gate of Zhou Yining’s school. This morning, I got a call from Tian Xue. She said Zhou Yining wrote a love letter to a boy from another class and posted it on several school forums. I got angry and went with Jiaming to confront her. But it turned out Tian Xue lied to me. She stole Yining’s love letter and posted it. Anyway, we had a big fight with Yining outside her school. Her teachers and classmates all took her side. She said she doesn’t want us as family anymore and wants to cut ties with us.”

Zhao Xiuna cried a few times and hurriedly asked, “What do we do now?”

Zhou Yuanfei was furious and said directly, “No way, we can’t let her go. If she leaves, haven’t I raised her for seventeen years for nothing? I’m heading home now. You hurry back too.”

Saying that, Zhou Yuanfei hung up the phone and stormed out of the company cafeteria.

On the other side, Jiang Xianzhi thought it over and still felt uneasy. After she and Zhou Yining got into the car, she called Jiang Yueyi and asked her to send two company bodyguards over to avoid any unnecessary trouble.

After Zhou Yining and the others got out of the car, the bodyguards Jiang Yueyi sent arrived. The group quickly went up to the fifth floor.

Zhou Yining didn’t have much to pack. She mainly needed to take her new laptop. Also, some of her outlines were at home, so she needed to grab those. Besides that, some of her documents were under the bed.

When they reached the door of 501, Zhou Yining took out her phone.

“What’s wrong?” Jiang Xianzhi asked.

“To avoid any false accusations, please record a video for me. I’m only taking a few of my own things,” Zhou Yining said as she opened the video app and pressed record. She handed the phone to Jiang Xianzhi.

Jiang Xianzhi nodded and pointed the camera at Zhou Yining. Zhou Yining then took the key and opened the door.

The five of them stood in the living room, which immediately felt cramped. “Zhou Zhou, which one’s your room?”

“That way,” Zhou Yining pointed to the dining room on the right and walked over.

Jiang Xianzhi and Chen Yitong exchanged a glance and followed. They saw a small, worn-out single bed in the cramped dining room. In front of the bed was a writing desk. The space was unimaginably narrow.

Jiang Xianzhi’s hand trembled slightly as she recorded the video. “You… you usually live here?”

Zhou Yining nodded. “Hmm, there are only two rooms. They take one, their precious son takes the other, so I can only sleep here.”

“What kind of parents are these? This is too unfair,” Chen Yitong said, her breathing uneven from anger.

“It doesn’t matter anymore. I feel nothing for them,” Zhou Yining said as she lifted the bedboard and took out her suitcase. She put a few new clothes inside, packed all her manuscripts and books, and placed them in the suitcase. After closing it, she hung her laptop bag on the suitcase’s handle. That was everything packed.

She didn’t have much in this house to begin with, and there was nothing worth staying for.

Zhou Yining finished packing and was about to leave. But as she pushed the suitcase into the living room, Zhou Yuanfei returned.

He glared at Zhou Yining arrogantly. However, seeing she wasn’t alone and had two men in suits behind her, Zhou Yuanfei toned down his anger.

“Yining, what are you doing? Are you really making a fuss and running away over something small? Your mom and brother care about you. You can’t treat us like this,” Zhou Yuanfei said, trying to play the emotional card to persuade Zhou Yining.

Zhou Yining gave him a cold laugh. “Something small? Caring about me? Caring about me means going to the school gate and spreading rumors about me without a care? Zhou Yuanfei, don’t try that emotional nonsense with me. It won’t work. I’ve seen through your family long ago.”

“Zhou Yining, what do you mean?” Zhou Yuanfei got angry too and reached out to push her, but a bodyguard grabbed his wrist.

“Sir, let’s talk nicely. No need to get physical. This is a society ruled by law,” the bodyguard said.

“Who are you? I haven’t even asked why you strangers are in my house!” Zhou Yuanfei shouted.

“They’re bodyguards my friend hired for me to prevent some people from acting desperate. A powerless girl like me facing your family of three is pretty scary to think about,” Zhou Yining mocked coldly.

“You, all of you, get out! Get out! This is my house!” Zhou Yuanfei was furious and yanked his hand free from the bodyguard, leaving a red mark on his wrist.

Zhou Yining looked at him calmly. “You don’t need to tell us. We’re leaving.”

As she spoke, Zhou Yining started to walk out, but after two steps, Zhou Yuanfei blocked her path.

“Wait, they can all leave, but not you. You’re my daughter. Wherever I am, you stay.”

“You’re legally clueless. The law says citizens have the right to personal freedom. No one can violate that, not even my parents. Even if you were a god, you couldn’t control where I go,” Zhou Yining said coldly, staring at Zhou Yuanfei.

At that moment, the door to 501 opened again. Zhao Xiuna and Zhou Jiaming returned. Seeing so many people in the house, they were stunned. Then Zhao Xiuna rushed forward, crying toward Zhou Yining.

“Yining, what are you doing with that suitcase? Are you really abandoning this family?”

Zhou Yining ignored her crying. “Yes, I’m done with this family. Can I go now?”

“Go? Sure, but first pay back all the money we spent raising you for seventeen years. Otherwise, you’re not stepping out of this house,” Zhou Yuanfei shouted but didn’t dare step closer. His wrist still hurt.

Chen Yitong spoke up, “What, you want to restrict Zhou Yining’s personal freedom? Looks like we’ll have to call the police to settle this.”

“Go ahead and call! I’m managing my own daughter. Even the police can’t interfere,” Zhou Yuanfei said, acting like he was in the right.

Chen Yitong nodded and called the police. She explained the situation briefly and gave the address.

The female officer on the phone paused, then asked, “Is this Zhou Yining’s house?”

“Yes, her parents are trying to restrict her personal freedom. I’m her homeroom teacher, and I’m at her house now,” Chen Yitong said.

“Okay, we’ll be there soon.”

Chen Yitong hung up. Zhao Xiuna kept crying and pleading with Zhou Yining. “Yining, you can’t do this. You can’t be so selfish. You can’t abandon us…”

Zhou Yining looked at her coldly. “If I were you, I’d save my energy. Your words have no effect on me.”

“Mom, stop talking. Zhou Yining’s an ungrateful wolf. Talking to her is a waste,” Zhou Jiaming said, his left cheek still swollen. Of course, he only dared to shout from behind Zhou Yuanfei.

Ten minutes later, the police knocked on 501’s door.

Zhou Yuanfei eagerly opened it, saying to Zhou Yining and the others as he walked, “Great, the police are here. Let them judge if I can manage my own daughter.”

With an arrogant air, Zhou Yuanfei opened the door but froze.

“Why is it you again?” Zhou Yuanfei wanted to close the door.

Ji Ying spoke, “We’re the police for this area. It’s normal for me to respond. No need to be surprised. Hello, please step aside. We’re here to handle the case.”

Ji Ying and two colleagues walked past Zhou Yuanfei into the living room. Seeing so many people, she said, “What’s going on?”

“Officer, I’m Zhou Yining’s homeroom teacher and witnessed everything. Zhou Yining’s mother went to the school gate…” Chen Yitong explained everything that happened, including the issue with Tian Xue and Zhou Yining.

Ji Ying nodded. “Hmm, so what’s your request now?”

Zhou Yining spoke, “I don’t want to live in this house anymore. I want to leave.”

Ji Ying nodded. “Citizens have the right to personal freedom. No one can stop you from going anywhere. You can leave anytime.”

“Officer, you can’t take sides like that. Zhou Yining is my daughter. She can’t leave. I raised her this long. If she wants to go, she has to pay back all the money I spent on her. Otherwise, she’s not leaving this house,” Zhou Yuanfei said, nearly exploding with anger.

Ji Ying spoke calmly. “The law doesn’t say that. If you want her to support you later, you can sue her. But she’s a minor now and doesn’t have the ability to support you. You can consider suing later. As for not letting her leave, that’s not possible. If you stop her, that’s restricting personal freedom. We can arrest you for that. You decide.”

“You, what kind of police are you? I’ll report you! I’ll report you!” Zhou Yuanfei shouted at Ji Ying.

Ji Ying stayed calm and pointed to her badge number. “You can report me anytime. Here’s my badge number. Mr. Zhou, I must warn you, don’t yell at the police. You’re so emotional, I suspect you might assault an officer. That’s a crime. You’d better adjust your attitude.”

Zhou Yuanfei was so angry at Zhou Yining’s words that he felt a lump in his chest and almost couldn’t breathe. Seeing the police didn’t buy his act, he turned to Zhou Yining. “Zhou Yining, you heard her. When you’re an adult, I can sue you for support payments. If you’re smart, apologize to me in front of everyone today, and I’ll let this go. Otherwise, don’t blame me for taking you to court.”

“Yes, Yining, we’re family. Why make it like this? Can’t we all take a step back?” Zhao Xiuna said.

“I’ve backed off enough. From now on, I won’t retreat another step. Zhou Yuanfei, sue me anytime you want. Have your lawyer contact me. I don’t want to hear any of your voices ever again,” Zhou Yining said, coldly glancing at the three of them.